Seebi/Sibi Narasimha Swamy Temple

Seebi (Sibi), is a small village, located about 20 kilometres to the north of Tumkur district in Karnataka. Seebi or Sibburu (as it was earlier called) is 24 km south of Sira. Seebi Narasimhaswamy temple in Seebi was built in the 18th century by Nallappa an officer under Haider Ali. The temple is painted with themes of Ramayana, Mahabharatha and Dashavatara.

Tumkur is one of the important industrial districts in Karnataka having a rich historical importance. In 1761, the district came under Haidar Ali, and to his son Tipu in 1774. Sibi also known, as Sibikshetra or Seebi was previously a jungle, where it is believed holy men meditated. It is possible that Tipu Sultan frequented this land for his favourite sport and animal hunting.

The Sibi Narasimha Swamy Temple built during the late 18th century A.D. or early 19th century, is perhaps the only remarkable thing in this place. What sets this temple apart from the others is the bountifully covered by paintings on walls and ceilings. While a majority of the paintings are in a sad state of affairs some still carry the tinge of delicacy and softness, discernible only to shrewd eyes. Paintings, which can be called historical, are very similar to Daria Daulat Bagh paintings in Srirangapatna. These are delineated on the walls and ceiling of the Mahadwara. The painting on the left wall of the gateway is intact and there must have been one panel on the right side of the entrance too, but there is no trace of it to day. This panel too has been effaced to some extant. This side of the Mahadwara is supposed to have undergone some repair work a few years ago, when a portion of the paintings got covered. There is long inscription of which only half remains. The paintings at Sibi also have some interesting factors worth mentioning. The temple itself is a simple structure, but the paintings inside are abundant and in character quite extraordinary. As they are situated on the ceiling, they have been well protected from weather conditions and vandalism.

The Sibi Narasimha Swamy Temple and its paintings belong to a period, which was at a crucial stage, politically. Karnataka had shifted from the rule of a Hindu kingdom to a Muslim dominion. Powerful leaders like Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan stormed over a major portion of south India occupying Karnataka almost fully. It is hence fairly notable that during such a period a Hindu temple with rich paintings was constructed. There also appears to be the patronage of the Muslim rulers and the later Hindu king, Krishnaraja Wodeyar to some extent, as the constructor owed strong allegiance to them. Hence, the art of Sibi is a living tribute to the great love for painting shown by the people of this period. Unlike other states Sibi does not follow a set pattern in its thematic representation and this makes it appealing. While a strong sense of visualisation is evident, usage of contemporary scenes, dress and costume is appealing. The tradition of mural art in Karnataka had travelled a long distance by the time it reached Sibi, taking a receding plane and losing its aesthetic importance becoming decorative and folkish. Consequently, the art of Sibi is not of the refined character that we come across at Hampi or Shravanabelagola, but a few strands of the old style do remain here offering ample scope for study.

According to Priest here, Some 1000 years ago, A businessman with two of his helpers were traveling from Chitradurga to Tumkur with the purpose of business. They halted at this place with purpose of having lunch. The businessman asked his helpers to prepare lunch and he went to meet his relative . When he came back he found both of his helper lying dead in pool of blood .He got stunned and sat there with his head down. Suddenly a Elderly person appeared and said to him that the stone they used for cooking was actually God Narshima Swamy himself and asked him to build a temple here. Following the word of Elder man the Businessman built the temple and got the "Puja" done by the priest from the near by town. Both his helpers came back to life. This temple was then renovated by Mysore Wodeyars and Tippu sultan. The main feature of the temple is god is form of Rock and has various painting on the ceilings depicting the story of Mahabharata, Ramayana and other stories. These paintings currently are in bad shape The temple architecture is simple, the white-washed walls with amazing sculptures of various Gods and Goddesses made of terracotta and lime. Though weather-beaten but very beautiful. The temple is under process of Renovation. Photography inside the temple is prohibited. There is Kalyani near the temple.

Nearest Town: Sira, TumkurDistance from Bangalore: 100kms.Direction: Via NH4. This place is located on NH4 itself. About 20 kms from Tumkur. From Tumkur the temple is on the right side of the NH.

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